GLP-1s are proving to be one of the most important medical advances of our time. According to data collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32.4% of people in the U.S. with obesity have used a GLP-1 for weight loss, and nearly one in three U.S. adults with diabetes has used a GLP-1 to manage it. These rates have very likely gone up significantly since this data was collected in 2024.
Obesity is a significant risk factor for many life-threatening conditions, including cardiovascular disease, liver disease, kidney disease and several forms of cancer. This means that since GLP-1s can help reverse obesity, it literally saves lives. Many doctors and researchers believe that there are even more long-term benefits of GLP-1s than we currently know. Although it’s important to note that it’s also too early to know the potential negative consequences of taking a GLP-1 long-term as well.
As with any medication, GLP-1 medications must be taken correctly. Otherwise, it may not work properly or could even put one’s health in danger. There’s one particular GLP-1 mistake that obesity medicine doctors often see and warn strongly against. Keep reading to find out how it can backfire and what doctors say to do instead.
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Why GLP-1 Users Often Experience Nausea
Even with all its benefits, GLP-1s do have their drawbacks, such as side effects. An estimated 20% of people (one in five) taking a GLP-1 experience nausea.
“Nausea is one of the most common side effects associated with GLP-1 medications and it tends to occur more frequently in what I call ‘super responders.’ These are often patients who start at a lower body mass index and experience rapid weight loss even at lower doses, which suggests heightened sensitivity to the medication,” explains Dr. Betsy Dovec, MD, FACS, a bariatric surgeon with HCA Florida Healthcare.
Dr. Dovec explains that nausea from a GLP-1 is most common after first starting the medication. Dr. Wiljon Beltre, MD, a bariatric surgeon at Beltre Bariatrics in Orlando, Florida, adds that overeating or eating high-fat meals can also make nausea more common when taking a GLP-1. “These meds slow down your stomach emptying, so if you overfill the pouch, that food just sits there, leading to nausea or reflux,” he says.
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As a way to reduce nausea, some people skip doses. Both doctors warn against doing this.
“Skipping doses because of nausea is understandable, but it is not always the best solution. These medications have long half-lives, meaning they stay in your system for several days, and consistent dosing is what allows your body to adapt over time. If you skip doses too frequently, you disrupt that steady state, which can actually make side effects worse when you restart,” Dr. Dovec says.
In other words, skipping doses prevents your body from adapting to the medication. This, both doctors say, can prolong side effects and also prevent the medication from working properly.
“When you take the next dose, it hits your system like a ton of bricks because your body has lost its tolerance. You often end up feeling twice as sick as you would have if you’d just stayed the course,” Dr. Beltre says.
Skipping doses can also backfire, leading to weight gain instead of weight loss.
“Obesity is a chronic disease, and when you skip doses, you’re letting the disease take control again. You’ll see cravings return, diabetics can see blood sugar spike and your weight loss will likely plateau. It can be very demoralizing for a patient to see the scale stop moving just because they were trying to avoid a day of sickness,” Dr. Beltre tells Parade.
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Doctor-Approved Ways To Deal With Nausea From GLP-1s
As tempting as it may be, skipping doses is not the best way to deal with nausea from GLP-1s. What should you do instead? To reduce the risk of experiencing nausea as a side effect, both doctors say it’s important to avoid eating big meals, especially ones that are high in fatty foods, like processed meats or fried food. They also emphasize the importance of staying hydrated.
Dr. Dovec says that timing the injection to the evening or before a day off (so symptoms can be managed more comfortably) can also be helpful. If you are experiencing nausea as a side effect, she recommends talking to your doctor about taking a medication that can help, such as ondansetron.
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If you’ve tried these suggestions and are still experiencing nausea, it’s important to talk to your doctor and come up with a new plan. No one should go through life feeling nauseous all the time.
“If someone is experiencing persistent nausea on a GLP-1, the first step is not to push through it but to adjust the plan,” Dr. Dovec says, explaining that this can mean staying at the current dose longer (GLP-1 doses typically increase over time until the desired dose is reached), reducing the dose, optimizing hydration and nutrition or switching to a different GLP-1.
“Ultimately, GLP-1 medications are powerful tools, but they require a thoughtful, individualized approach. Patients should never feel like they have to ‘tough it out’ with side effects, and open communication with their prescribing provider is essential to finding the right balance between effectiveness and quality of life,” Dr. Dovec emphasizes.
Instead of skipping doses or troubleshooting on your own, talk to your doctor. Together, you can come up with a plan that will help you meet your health goals without nausea getting in the way.
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Sources:
GLP-1 Injectable Use Among Adults With Diagnosed Diabetes: United States, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPi-Sunyer, X. (2010). The Medical Risks of Obesity. Postgraduate Medicine. 121(6):21-33Dr. Betsy Dovec, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon with HCA Florida HealthcareDr. Wiljon Beltre, MD, bariatric surgeon at Beltre Bariatrics in Orlando, FloridaHence then, the article about this common glp 1 dosing mistake can backfire fast doctors warn was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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